8 / 68
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the last weeks of summer in Chicago at
the Grant Park Music Festival!
Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Carlos
Kalmar, Chorus Director Christopher Bell and I are
thrilled to present another season of free concerts at
the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Again this year, the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus
will perform a mix of beloved classics and rarely performed works. The month
of August brings a world premiere by American composer Michael Gandolfi,
written especially for the Grant Park Orchestra, a rediscovered Tchaikovsky con-
certo, and the return of several guest artists who have thrilled Festival audiences
over the years.
We’re so proud of
Festival Connect,
our music education and engagement ini-
tiative that we’ve expanded this year. We offer free lectures each night, led by
expert commentators one hour before the concert in the Park’s Family Fun Tent.
Informal talks also take place in the seating bowl at lunchtime, when Festival
docents share insights about the music being rehearsed. This year, we’ll bring
more than 1,500 children from neighborhoods all over Chicago to our half-day
music and arts immersion program,
Classical Campers,
in partnership with the
Chicago Park District.
Our concerts would not be possible without the generous support of our long-
standing partners—the Chicago Park District and the Department of Cultural
Affairs and Special Events. A heartfelt thanks to our members, along with the
many foundations, corporate and individual donors, whose contributed support
help to make our concerts free and accessible for all.
Enjoy tonight’s concert and our thanks for your continued support.
Warm regards,
Paul Winberg
President and CEO
2 0 1 6 G R AN T PA R K MU S I C F E S T I VA L
WELCOME
6 |
gpmf.org